Chapter 38 When you're traveling, you give yourself your own identity.
This time, the production team was at least humane; they sent a car to pick up the guests from the airport and even booked a hotel for them.
It's a small town, after all, not as developed as big cities, and the living conditions are average; the hotel is only three stories high. Moreover, the production crew and guests all stayed at the same hotel, so they often bumped into each other going up and down the stairs.
Xia Mian noticed that everyone was looking at him strangely. He knew why—the cast of "Infinite Escape" was full of big names, but in the end, it was him, a nobody, who frequently made headlines. The promotional materials prepared by various companies had little effect, which made him angry and a little amused.
Moreover, those who had inside information, such as his "control group" and executives at Wandou TV, knew he was just cannon fodder and wouldn't care. Others would definitely assume he was planted by the big spender—Cheng Qi or He Cheng—and their impression of him would be even worse.
...Oh well, let others think what they want. Anyway, he'll quit recording as per his contract once this project is over, so I'll just have to bear with it a little longer.
Thinking of the impending "minor incident," Xia Mian frowned. To this day, he hadn't gleaned even the slightest clue, and didn't know whether it was good or bad.
The day before filming, the production team gathered the guests together for dinner. After the previous episode, everyone was quite familiar with each other, and the atmosphere was pleasant as they chatted and laughed.
It was already past midnight when the event ended. For safety reasons, the director instructed the male guests to escort the female guests back to their rooms. Xia Mian and Zhu Ziqi's rooms were on the same floor, so Xia Mian took on the responsibility of escorting her.
He accompanied Zhu Ziqi all the way to the door. Suddenly, Zhu Ziqi slapped his forehead and said, "I just remembered, the lock on one of my boxes seems to be broken and I can't open it. Xia, could you help me take a look?"
“Find your assistant,” Xia Mian said, unwilling to help. “I remember you have several assistants.”
Zhu Ziqi was surprised by his decisive refusal and looked embarrassed: "They must be asleep by now, and we tried during the day but failed."
Xia Mian wasn't unwilling to help; he was just afraid that the so-called "minor incident" was related to him entering the female celebrity's room, so he didn't dare to go.
"Xia, there's something very important in the box. I need to take it out and check it myself before I feel at ease. Please help me!"
Xia Mian sighed and looked up at the corridor ceiling. There was a security camera pointing directly at Zhu Ziqi's room. As long as the door wasn't closed, it could record when he entered and exited, making it easy to clarify any misunderstandings.
"Okay, I'll take a look for you. Don't close the door."
Zhu Ziqi did as he was told, using a stool to block the doorway.
The suitcase was in the bedroom; it must have been crushed during transport, as the combination lock was slightly deformed. Xia Mian's suitcase had been damaged like this before, and he always replaced it or sent it back to after-sales service; he'd never actually repaired it himself.
He tried, but failed. Zhu Ziqi squatted down next to him, resting his chin on his hand, his eyes filled with worry: "What should we do? Can you fix it?"
Xia Mian shook her head: "Probably not."
"Oh, I should have thought of that earlier. You've never used this kind of box before, so you definitely can't fix it. Thank you for your help, Xia."
You've never used this kind of box before... what do you mean?
Xia Mian was stunned for a moment before realizing that the other person said he used cheap, no-name brand suitcases that cost 350 yuan each and had never used expensive ones.
It's no wonder he's slow to react; no one has ever mocked him for being "poor" before.
Xia Mian was speechless after being mocked for trying to help someone. Without saying a word, she turned and left.
Zhu Ziqi seemed oblivious to his anger, and offered Xia Mian two drinks as a token of gratitude. Xia Mian ignored him and left his room as quickly as possible.
After I went outside, I checked my watch; it had been less than ten minutes.
Ten minutes is not enough for a man in his prime to do anything; it should be enough to avoid the risk of a "night rendezvous" scandal.
Xia Mian breathed a sigh of relief and went back to her room to sleep.
The following morning at 10:00 AM, all the guests arrived, and the recording of the second instance of "Infinite Escape" began.
After the previous episode, everyone was already familiar with the show's formula, and without the director's explanation, they started discussing among themselves: "Filming in an ancient town, is it an ancient episode?"
Director: "That's right, it's called 'Qingyun Town'."
Zheng Qiming clicked his tongue: "Just like 'Carnival,' it uses a code name directly, without giving any hints."
Zhu Ziqi: "As long as it's not a palace intrigue. If it were, with my cunning, I definitely wouldn't survive a single term."
Zhu Ziqi stuck out her tongue, and everyone laughed at her self-deprecating humor, making the atmosphere increasingly lively.
The director also comforted her with a smile: "You're a high-IQ, academically gifted, and beautiful girl. If you can't survive, others certainly won't be able to either."
"Yes, yes, don't be so modest."
The rules of the instance have been figured out pretty well, and now everyone is discussing how to draw identities more reasonably.
“This time, there’s no need to distinguish identities. You will be sent to different locations. Once you arrive at the starting point, the instance will begin immediately. You will need to explore all the plot points on your own. The guest who successfully escapes will receive 40 points. Meanwhile, Xia Mian, who had the highest score in the previous instance,” the director took out a card from his pocket, “will receive a resurrection card. With this card, you can bring anyone back to life.”
He handed the card to Xia Mian, drawing envious glances from the other guests. The Resurrection Card was essentially a get-out-of-jail-free card; if used well, it could allow one to maintain a lead until the very last instance.
Furthermore, to increase the appeal, the director specifically emphasized "anyone," so that when faced with the death of a teammate, the question of who Xia Mian saves or doesn't save can create a point of interest or controversy.
This was both a good thing and a hot potato. Xia Mian didn't mess it up. She put the card in her pocket and then a staff member blindfolded her with a black cloth and took her to her starting point.
Xia Mian felt like she had been walking for a very long time. After the black cloth was removed, it took her a while to adjust to the surrounding light.
He didn't rush to trigger the plot; he first looked around at the surrounding environment.
Qingyun Ancient Town was first built during the Qing Dynasty and has a long history. Half of it has been commercialized and built into a closed film and television base, namely Qingyun Film and Television City.
He is now in a small alley in the film and television city. The blue brick and stone road, the vermilion double gate with its simple and ancient style, the flying eaves and cliffs, the carved beams and painted rafters with a sense of the times, make people feel as if they have traveled back to ancient times.
Xia Mian calmed herself down and noticed a blacksmith shop not far away.
A clue has emerged! As he walked toward the blacksmith shop, he chatted with the filming PD: "Variety shows are different from high-budget movies and TV series. To save costs, the production team won't set up unnecessary scenes."
PD who was filming: "..."
"So there must be an NPC in this blacksmith shop who will give me quests, right?"
PD who was filming: "…………"
What do you want me to say?
Xia Mian walked into the blacksmith's shop, and sure enough, in the courtyard, a middle-aged man dressed as a blacksmith was forging a set of foot pedals.
“Uncle,” Xia Mian approached and spoke up, “this is Qingyun Town, right?”
The extras were already prepared: "That's right. Young man, where are you from and where are you going?"
"I am the Emperor, here incognito. Do you have anything you wish to report to me?"
blacksmith:"???"
The PD filming: "???"
Xia Mian shrugged at the camera: "When you're out and about, you give yourself your own identity."
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